Hector’s and Māui dolphin Threat Management Plan reviews

2018/19 review of the Hector's and Māui dolphin TMP

A review of the TMP commenced in 2018.  An extensive research, risk assessment and evaluation process was developed and completed in 2019.  Following that process, possible measures to reduce risks to the dolphins were released for public comment.

• 2019 Review consultation paper.
• Supporting information and rationale.
• Spatial risk assessment of threats to Hector’s and Māui dolphins.

After considering feedback from the public consultation, in June 2020 the Minister of Fisheries announced new fishing measures, and the Minister of Conservation announced her intention to vary five marine mammal sanctuaries and the Kaikoura Whale Sanctuary, to increase protection for the dolphins.

• More about the new fisheries measures.
• Read about the variations to the marine mammal sanctuaries.

In September 2020 the Minister of Conservation gazetted the final changes to the five marine mammal sanctuaries and the Kaikoura Whale Sanctuary, which came into effect on 5 November 2020.

2012 review of the Māui dolphin section of the TMP

A review of the Māui dolphin section of the TMP commenced in 2012 in response to a capture of a Māui or Hector’s dolphin in a commercial set net off Cape Egmont, Taranaki, and a new population estimate for Māui dolphins.

Review of the Māui dolphin Threat Management Plan Consultation Paper (PDF, 12,000K)

Māui dolphin risk assessment report, 2012 (PDF, 6,850K)

Submissions were summarised in a final advice paper to Ministers:

Advice on non-fishing related measures (PDF, 2,029K)

For advice and submissions on fishing-related measures, see the Fisheries NZ website.

In November 2013, Ministers announced their decisions on the review (PDF, 2,306K). A package of protection measures were announced using legislation from both the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1978) and the Fisheries Act (1996), and included maintaining the interim protection measures from 2012.

2007 Threat Management Plan

Public and government concern over the effect of human induced mortality on Hector’s and Māui dolphin led to the development of a draft TMP to help protect these species. The draft plan underwent a public consultation process before going to Ministers of Conservation and Fisheries for decisions. 

Draft for public consultation (PDF, 3,257K) 

The TMP led to the establishment of a series of marine mammal sanctuaries to protect Hector's and Māui dolphins:

• West Coast North Island
• Clifford and Cloudy Bay
• Catlins Coast
• Te Wae Wae Bay
• and extensions on the already existing Banks Peninsula sanctuary. 

Mining and acoustic seismic surveying restrictions were applied to these sanctuaries. 

A range of fisheries restrictions were announced by the Minister of Fisheries (PDF, 863K)